Melocactus (Cactaceae) no estado de Sergipe (Brasil) e aspectos de sua conservação

Abstract

The genus Melocactus of the family Cactaceae, subfamily Cactoideae is com - posed of 38 species distributed in Brazil, Central America, the Caribbean and in the Andes, and in Brazil the greatest world diversity of this genus (23 species) occurs. In the state of Sergipe, the Caatinga ecosystem occupies almost 50% of its territory, vegetation, where the largest number of species of the genus Melocactus occurs in Brazil. This study aimed to make a floristic survey of the genus Melocactus in the state of Sergipe and to analyze aspects of its conservation. The results were obtained through a survey in the herbarium database (ASE), SpeciesLink and field collections, where geographic coordinates and altitude were recorded. Specimens in the reproductive phase were collected for registration and identification in the herbarium (ASE). The phytogeographical domain of the species was identified in the macro - regions of the state, which made it possible to record the occurrence of five species of this genus, and a new one ( Melocactus sergipensis ), which is critically endangered.